Growth of Nationalism Flashcards
What is nationalism?
Nationalism is the feeling of oneness and common conscienceness that emerges when people living in a common territory share the same historical, politiical and cultural background, have the same cultural values, and consider themselves as one nation
How did the concept of ‘Nationalism’ originate/develop?
4 point
The birth of national awakening in India took place in the second half of 19th century due to:
* The socio-religious reform movements in India
* The concept of nationalism and right of self-determination initiated by the french
* As an outcome of modernisation introduced by the british
* As a reaction of indians to the British colonial policies
When did nationalism develop in India?
second half of 19th century
Why was nationalism lacking before the British arrival?
2 point
- Before the british, India was never 1 nation but instead it was many different kingdoms.
- Even at times when most of the subcontinent was under the rule of 1 empire, the loyalty of the people was towards a particular king or kingdom.
Fill in the blanks
The Establishment of the Indian National Congress in _ _ _ _ marked the formal beginning of the organised national movement in India
1885
What were the factors leading to Growth of nationalism?
- Economic Exploitation
- Repressive Colonial Policies
- Socio-Religious Reform Movements
- Role of Press
Which sections of society were affected by the british policy of economic exploitation?
- Peasants
- Artisans and Craftsmen
- The working class
- The educated Indians
(all sections of society)
How were peasant, craftsmen and artisans affected by british exploitative policies?
Peasant [3]; craftsmen and artisans [4]
-
Peasants: were main victims of british colonial policy
* The government took away most of their produce in the form of land revenue and other taxes.
* This lead them into the clutches of ladlords and moneylenders. -
Artisans&Craftsmen: The british economic policies were against Indian trade and industry.
* The British East India Company used its political power to destroy Indian handicraft and industry.
* India became a source of raw materials and a market for their finished goods.
* This ruined the artisans as they were stripped of their livelihood
Artisan and craftsmen points come under “Reasons for industrial stagnation”
How were the working class and the educated indians affected by the british exploitative policies?
3 each
-
The Working Class: The rise of modern industries gave birth to a new social class ‘the working class’.
* They were exploited by the factory owners who were generally englishmen
* Although they were a small part of the population, they represented a new social outlook that covered the whole country’s interest and outlook. -
Educated Indians: The only employment available for them was government service.
* The competition for it was high and chance for promotion was bleak.
* They hoped that british capitalism would help develop india’s productive force but it was keeping India economically backward.
State the repressive policies of Lord Lytton and when they were applied.
5 point
- Grand Delhi Durbar (1877)
- Vernacular Press Act & the Indian Arms Act (1878)
- Decreased age limit from 21 to 19 for Civil Service examinations
- Import duties on British textiles removed
- C.P. Ilbert’s “Ilbert Bill” in 1883
Explain
- Grand Delhi Darbar
- Vernacular Press Act
- Indian Arms Act
- Grand Delhi Darbar: was held by lord lytton in 1877 to proclaim Queen Victoria as the Empress of India and spent lakhs on the event while nothing was done for the Indians who were suffering from a famine
- Vernacular Press Act(1878) forbade vernacular papers from publishing any material that may incite feelings of dissatisfaction in the British Government
- Indian Arms Act(1878) made it a criminal offence for Indians to carry arms without licence
Explain the Ilbert Bill and why it was abolished.
4 point
- Sir C.P. Ilbert, a law member of the viceroy’s council, prepared the Ilbert Bill in 1883 which Provided for the trial of british and european people by Indians
- It was done to inntroduce equality between British and Indian judges.
- It was resented by Europeans who started a Defense Association to defend their special privileges due to which it was withdrawn
- This Incident highlights the racial attitude of the british and indians realised they could not expect justice if european interests were involved
Who repealed the Vernacular Press Act and when?
Lord Ripon repealed it in 1882
How did modernisation help in growth of nationalism
4 point
- Western Education led people to approach life in a humanistic, scientific and rational manner
- They realised they need to reform their religion and society
- And the path to progess was in them accepting best of the east and west.
- This gave birth to socio-religious reform movements touching every segment of indian society.
What issues did the socio-religious reform movements work for
4 each
- Social Sphere: it worked for the abolition of caste system, sati, child marriage, dowry system, infanticide.
- Religious sphere: it combated religious superstitions, attacked idolatry, polytheism and hereditary priesthood
